Combined camera and light control apparatus



0a. 7, 1941. J F, KALETAY 2,258,140

COMBINED CAMERA AND LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 23, 1937 4Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR (/0 EPH FIX/M554) ATTORNEY Oct. 7, 1941. J. F.KALETAY 2,258,140

COMBINED CAMERA AND LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 23, 1937 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR dos/my EKALETAY TTORNEY Oct. 7, 1941. .1. F.KALETAY COMBINE 2D CAMERA AND LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 25,1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a L/NE INVENTOR c/OSfP/r' FKALETAY WM ZTTORNEPatented Oct. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

COMBINED CAMERA AND LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS Joseph F. Kaletay, Reaville,N. J. I, Application November 23, 1937, Serial No. 176,045

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a combinedcontrol for cameras and lightingtherefor and more particularly to a system wherein the camera shutterand the lighting means are simultaneously and variably operable.

The introduction of photo-flood lamps coupled with improved photographicfilm, have made the art of photography employing artificialillumination, increasingly popular. One method in common use entails theemployment of photo-flash lamp and fast registering sensitive film. Thismethod is costly since the lamps may be used once only and the filmcommands a price premium. Where photo-flood lamps have been used, theiruseful life was curtailed by lighting them during long periods when thecamera was inactive. Since, at best, these lamps afford only a few hoursof service, much of their lighting was wasted.

Prior devices, seeking to overcome these faults, have been quitecomplicated and expensive, and while perhaps adapted for limited use byprofessional photographers, have found no field of use among amateurcamera users because of their great cost and complex construction.

The present invention, seeking to obviate the above faults, contemplatesthe provision of photographic apparatus designed to afiord properillumination of the subject only for the period of time that the camerashutter is open to expose the film.

The invention further contemplates the provision of improved switchmeans for simultaneously operating the camera shutter and thefloodlamps, said switch means being pre-settable'to vary the exposuretime.

Another contemplated feature of the invention resides in the improvedand convenient manner of arranging the apparatus wherein the controlmeans may be remote from the camera to afford greater flexibility ofuse.

In its present aspect, the invention comprises a pre-settable timeswitch for simultaneously energizing a solenoid which operates thecamera shutter release and lighting one or more flood-lamps positionedto illuminate the subject.

The invention also contemplates novel electrical circuit arrangements.One form oi circuit includes means preferably in the form of a switchfor either connecting the flood lamps in series and short circuiting theshutter operating solenoid, or connecting the flood lamps and thesolenoid in parallel, and in the other, incorporating a relay in thecircuit for breaking the series circuit of the lamps and making thementioned parallel circuit. In both forms of arrangement, the seriescircuit will illuminate the lamps somewhat dimly so the subject to bephotographed may be posed without subjecting the photographer and thesubject to undue glare and to the normally excessive light of the fullyilluminated lamps, said latter condition being desirable only when theactual photographing is being done. It is than that the mentionedparallel arrangement is made.

Other features, advantages, and objects of the invention reside in theprovision of an improved v time switch; in efficient and simple camerarelease actuating means, preferably in the form of a solenoid; in simpleand quickly operable means for mounting the camera and the shutterrelease means; and in the various details of construction comprising theparts of the apparatus.

With the above and other objects in mind, the invention comprises theapparatus as illustrated, in an exemplary manner, in the accompanyingdrawings which are described in detail in the following specification,and in which: I

Fig. 1 is a front view of a camera in combination with cable release andtime switch actuating means.

Fig. 2 is an electrical diagram employed in the above-mentionedcombination.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a preferred time switchconstruction.

Fig. 4 is a front view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the time switch shown inFig. 3 and on a plane at right angles thereto.

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view through the time switch shown in Figs.3, 4, and 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing another form oftime switch.

Fig. 8 is a front view thereof.

Fig. 9 is a partial elevational, partial sectional view of still anotherform of time switch.

Fig. 10 is a front view thereof.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a combined cable releaseactuating and outlet block unit.

Fig. 12 is a side view thereof.

Fig. 13 is a broken sectional view of an alternate form of unit shown inFig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a front view thereof.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary front view of the mentioned combination unitshowing an alternate form of mounting therefor.

Fig. 16 is an electrical diagram of another form of circuit employed inthe invention.

Fig. 17 is still another form of circuit employing a relay.

vided with a bracket I! having an upstanding leg 20.

As herein contemplated, the present combination includes a unit 2|comprising, in combination, a cable release actuating means andelectrical outlet blocks. The details of this unit are shown in severalforms in Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive and diagrammatically illustrated inFig. 2.

Referring now to Figs. 1, l1, and 12, the unit 2| comprises a casing 22in which is positioned an electric solenoid 23 provided with a floatingcore 24. The lower end of the core is preferably provided with meanssuch as the spring 25 for maintaining said core in its low positionandthe upper end of the core is connected to a shutter actuating wiremember 26 which is disposed within the flexible cable sheath 21. Thelatter is formed with a head 21 caught in a shoulder in the block 23locked between the solenoid 23 and the casing 22, as by means of thescrews 23*. The head 21 is disposed in a recess 23 in said block, saidrecess being closed by the upper flanged portion 23 of a sleeve 23fitted in the solenoid above the core 24. The mentioned shoulder in theblock 23 and the mentioned flanged portion 23 form a pocket in which thehead 21 is revolubly confined. In this manner the cable 21 isefiectively positioned and the solenoid securely held in the casing.

In order to prevent fraying of the sheath 21 which may be caused byunduly sharp bending at the point where it emerges from the casing 22, ahelical spring 28 or its equivalent is strung around the sheath at thatpoint. The lower end of the spring 28 is preferably enlarged andpositioned in a shouldered seat 3|) inthe casing and is thus heldagainst removal by said seat and the mentioned block 23.

When the unit 2| is out of use, the cable release comprising the wire 26and sheath 21 would be a source of annoyance when storing said unit. Forthis reason means are provided for neatly arranging said cable releasealong one side of said casing. To this end, the casing is formed with anembossment 30 in the form of an upstanding collar, said collar beingprovided with a slot 3|, and one or both walls of the casing may beprovided with cleat-like portions 32 having grooves at 33. Thus, whenthe unit 2| is to be stored out of use, the cable release may be bentthrough the slot 3|, arranged about the cleats 32 in the grooves 33, andmaintained in this position by means of a lug 35 past which the cablemust be squeezed.

The above describes a special construction for the purpose, but wherethe camera is already provided with a cable release the form shown inFigs. 13 and 14 may be employed. In this form the casing 22 is providedwith a hood-like extension 38 on which is caught the ferrule 31 of thesheath 21, and the actuating wire 26 is arranged to engage a block 38carried by the solenoid core 24. The block 38 is threadedly engaged on areduced upward extension of the solenoid core 24, so that it may beadjusted longitudinally to 38 is formed in the top of said block sodifierent sized cable ends may be received therein and properly alignedwith the core.

The casing of either form of unit 22 is also arranged to carry a block38 in which are arranged a plurality of pairs of electrical contactssuch as 4|)-4|, 42-43, and 44-45. The contacts 48-4| are designed toreceive the connection plug of a floodlamp 46, and the contacts 42-43the connection plug of a flood lamp 41. The contacts 44-45 are designedfor the reception of a plug 48 of a conductor 49 from a time switch unitgenerally shown at 58. These connections are best seen from the diagramin Fig. 2.

Because the unit 2| is provided with actuating means for operating thecable release, this unit is preferably fixedly associated with thecamera, and for this reason the cleats 32 are provided with inwardlydirected grooves 29 for the accommodation of the upstanding leg 20 ofthe previously mentioned connection means I8. Instead of the bracket andthe connection means l8 comprising a separate unit, the casing 2| mayhave hinged thereon, as at 34, a bracket l9 adapted to be swung, whenout of use, to a position against the side of said casing as seen inFig. 15. v

The time switch unit 58, most clearly shown in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive,comprises a casing 5| in which is disposed a switch 52 provided with aswitch lever 53, the conductor 48 being connected to said switch 52.

In the present instance, it is desired to time the camera exposurethrough the energizing of the solenoid 23 by the manual actuation of theswitch lever 53 and the automatic release thereof by the followingmechanism disposed within the casing 5| of the time switch.

A bracket 54 is preferably carried within the casing 5| and upon thisbracket there is mounted a shaft 55 having a control knob 56 carrying anindex mark 51 which may be read in association with markings 58 on theface of the casing. The

' shaft 55 carries a ratchet wheel 59 and a spirallywound spring 50having one end connected with the shaft and the other to a fixed portionsuch as the bracket 54. It is apparent from the foregoing that thespring 50 may be wound by turning the knob 56, and in the presentinstance only one complete revolution of said knob is intended.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the switch handle 53 is connected with oneend of a wire 6| which is disposed in a sheath 62 and provided at itsother end with a detent 63 having engagement with the teeth of theratchet wheel 58. Thus, when the lever 53 is moved toward the left (Fig.3) the detent 63 is removed from engagement with said ratchet wheel tofree it for rotation under the urgency of the spring 50, but since theunwinding of the spring |6 under these conditions would be substantiallyinstantaneous, it is desired to include a click pawl 64 havingengagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel to retard the rotationthereof. The pawl will operate in the unwinding direction of the ratchetwheel and spring, and when the shaft 55 is to be set for timing theswitch, this pawl may be raised out of engagement with the ratchet as bymeans of the knob handle 65.

Upon the shaft 55 there is disposed a member Q56 provided with a lug 61arranged to have engagement with the arm 88 of a bell crank lever 69pivoted at 10 and connected at its lower end 7 to a detent 1| arrangedto engage in an opening engage the end of the cable 26. A conical seat12 in switch lever 53.

The spring 50, the ratchet 59, and the click pawl 64 are all designed inthe present showing, to impart a rotational duration to the shaft 55 ofsomewhat more than 2% seconds. Thus when the index mark 51 is turnedanti-clockwise and aligned with the marking 2.5 on the casing, removalof the detent 63 from engagement with the ratchet teeth will release theratchet wheel to be rotated by the spring back towards zero and at thispoint the lug 61 will engage the arm 60 of the bell crank lever 63 towithdraw the detent 1| from the opening 12. The removal of the detent 63is accomplished through the moving of the switch lever 53 toward theleft of Fig. 3 so that the detent 1i may engage in the opening 12. It isapparent from the above that the operator merely manipulates the lever53, and the period of time that it takes the lug 61 to trip the detent1| is controlled by the original setting of the knob 56. It is, ofcourse. understood that the timer may be designed for any periods oftime, and the switch lever 53 may be held manually for longer periods01' time than are arranged for in the timer.

Another form of timer is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 wherein a plurality oflugs 61. may be employed, said lugs being slidably mounted on the shaft55. In this form, the desired lug 61* may be positioned for engagementwith the bell crank lever 69 as by means of a cam 13 on the shaft 14 andcontrolled by a knob 15. The angular disposition of said lugs may be hadby manipulation of the lever 16 as read in connection with the scale 58,a pair of gears 11 permitting this. In other respects, the portionsillustrated in Figs. 3-.-6 inclusive may be incorporated with thisstructure to complete the device.

Another form or timer is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, and in this formit is contemplated to impart several revolutions to the spring shaft 55as by means of the knob 18 through the medium of gearing 19. The pawl64, the counterpart of the pawl 64, is mounted with said knob to haveengagement with the ratchet i9 and to be removed from said engagementduring winding of the spring by pushing the knob inward against the leafspring 00. Thus, the switch lever 53 may be manipulated several timesbefore the spring 60 needs rewinding. In this form the lugs 61 may eachbe of different form. One of these may have one lug; another, two lugs;a third, four lugs; and so on. The amount of power left in the spring 60may be read from the position of the arrow on the knob 18 in relation tothe scale 18*, and the position 01 the timing lugs 61'' may be read fromthe position of the arrow on the knob in relation to the scale 15".

Referring now to the electrical diagram shown in Fig. 2, the timerswitch 52 is shown as being connected with the terminals 44-46 andelectrical current from a suitable source is connected to the terminals40, 42, and 44. Thus when the switch 52 is closed, 'the circuit flows inthe line III to the line 8|, through said switch, to the line 62, theline 83, the solenoid 23, the line 84, and 1 the line 85. In thismanner, the solenoid is energized to cause actuation of the cablerelease means. Simultaneously a circuit is established to the flood lamp46 and 41, as apparent from the diagram.

It may be desirable to arrange the electrical circuit so that the floodlamps may be connected in series as during the posing and arranging orthe subject to be photographed. In series, the voltage supplied to theselamps would be divided between them and they would therefore burnsomewhat dimly. Then, when they are thrown into parallel, they will burnwith their maximum illumination.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 16 provides for this type of operation.During posing of the subject, the switch 60 is positioned to contact theterminal 9i. Now when the time switch 52 is closed, the current willflow from th line, through said time switch, through conductor 92. lamp46, conductor 03, to terminal 6|, through conductors 94 and 95, lamp 41,and conductors 06 and 51, back to the line. The solenoid 23 beingconnected in parallel with this circuit by means of the connections at96, will be shorted and will therefore not operate to actuate the camerashutter.

When the subject is to be'photographed, the switch is positioned tocontact the terminals I00 and MI. Now when the time switch 52 is closedeach of the lamps and the solenoid will be connected in parallelcircuits, the circuit for the lamp 46 being from the line through switch52, conductor 92, lamp 46, conductor 93, switch 90, terminal I00, andconductors I02 and 91 to the line; the circuit for the lamp 41 beingfrom the line, through the switch 52, conductors 92 and I03, terminal I0|, switch 30. conductors I04, 94, and 95, lamp 41, and conductors 96and 91 to the line; and the circuit for th solenoid being from. the linethrough'the switch 62, conductors 92 and I03, terminal "I, switch 0|,conductors I04, 94, and 98, solenoid 23, conductors 89 and 03 to switch9|, terminal I00, and conductors I02 and 91 to the line.

As illustrated in Fig. 17, the wiring diagram may incorporate a relayfor changing the lamp connections from series to parallel. In thisarrangement the lamps are in series until the time switch is operatedand at the completion of the operation thereof, return to series.

The series connection of the lamps is from the line through theconductor I I0, lamp 46, conductor II, lamp 41, conductor II2,contacting terminals H3 and H4, and conductors H5 and H6 to the line.

When the time switch 52 is closed, the relay H1 is Operated through theenergization of the electromagnet 8 connected to the line by conductorsH0, H9 and I20 through said time switch. The contact between theterminals I I3 and 1 I I4 is broken and contact is made betweenterminals H3 and HI. At the same time contact is made among theterminals I22, I23, and I 24.

The circuit for the lamp 46 is from the line through the conductor IIO,lamp 46, conductors III and I25, terminals I22 and I23, and conductorsI26 and H6 to the line. The circuit for the lamp 41 is from the line,through the conductors H0 and I21, terminals I2I and H3, conductor II2,lamp 41, conductors III, and I25, terminals I 22 and I23, and conductorsI26 and I I 6 to the line.

The circuit for the solenoid 23 is from the line through conductors IIO,I21, and I28, solenoid 23, conductor I29, terminals I24 and I23, andconductors I26 and I I6 to the line.

It will be noted that as the relay operates, the lamp contact terminalsII 3, I2I and I 22, I 23 are contacted first and then the solenoidcontact terminals I23, I24 are contacted. This provides for fullillumination of the lamps before the solenoid operates to actuate thecamera shutter. When the switch 52 resumes its off position, the relaywill resume its initial position and during this operation, the solenoidcontacts will open first and then the parallel connection 01 the lampswill be opened.

It is preferred to design the solenoid with a lag suiiicient to permitfull illumination of the flood lamps before the core 26 is actuated bythe energization of said solenoid so that the camera shutter is notopened until iull illumination has been obtained. This lag may beprovided in several ways. One, is to design the spring 25 to causeretarding oi themovement or the solenoid core, another is to incorporatea gravitational pull on said core, and'a third is to provide amechanical transfer of power which may be regulated to aflord the propertime delay so the flood lampsruay reach full illumination before thecamera shutter is opened.

If the circuit shown in Fig. 16 is employed, the casing 2| may be formedwith an offset portion in order to provide a chamber I" in which may bepositioned the switch 90. This chamber may also be used-to house therelay I II when the circuit shown in Fig. 17 is used. This is done toobviate the handling oi separate portions of the contemplated mechanismwhich essentially comprises the unit 2| and the unit 50.

From the foregoing disclosure it is apparent that the several unitscomprising the system herein contemplated may be each varied inconstruction and arrangement in many ways.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a camera having a shutter, shutter actuating means,means for operating said shutter actuating means, and means torvertically slidably mounting the last-mentioned means in definiteremovable relation to said camera, said operating means comprising asolenoid having a movable core operably associated with the mentionedshutter actuating means.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a case ing, an electromagnet insaid casing, a movable core in said electromagnet, a camera shutteractuating member movable by said core, as it approaches the end of itsstroke an electric receptacle for receiving electric current alsomounted 'in said casing, and electric circuit connections between saidreceptacle and said electromagnet, and a control switch in said circuit.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a casing, an electromagnet insaid casing, a movable core in said electromagnet, a camera shutteractuating means operatively associated with said core, said shutteractuating means comprising a member movable by said core and a sheaththerearound, flexible means for obviating unduly sharp bending of saidsheath, and means for maintaining said sheath disposed along one wall ofthe mentioned casing, said last-mentioned means comprising a cleat-likeportion on said wall having grooves for the accommodation of saidsheath.

4. In combination, a camera having a shutter, shutter actuating means,means for operating said shutter actuating means, a casing for thelatter, and means for readily detachably mounting the said casing indefinite relation to said camera, said last mentioned means comprising amember having threaded engagement with the camera and a bracket havingsliding engagement with said casing and pivotal engagement with themember.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a casing, an electromagnet insaid casing, a movable core in said electromagnet, and a camera shutteractuating member extending into said electromagnet and directly movableby said core as it approaches the end of its stroke.

6. An article of manufacture comprising 9. casing, a solenoid in saidcasing, means for mounting said solenoid to a wall of said casing, ablock interposed between said wall and said solenoid, camera shutteractuating means associated with said solenoid and having a sheathterminating in a head, said head being disposed in a recess in saidblock, and a member closing said recess and confining said head, saidmember being disposed in the bore of said solenoid.

'7. In combination, a camera having a shutter, shutter actuating means,means for operating said shutter actuating means, and means for slidablydetachably mounting the last-mentioned means in definite relation tosaid camera, said operating means comprising a solenoid having a movablecore, a part of said actuating means extending into said solenoidadjacent to and directly contactable by the mentioned core, a stop forsaid core to limit the length of its actuating stroke, said stop beingarranged within the solenoid, and means independent of the shutteractuating means to return the core to its initial position.

JOSEPH F. KALETAY.

